- "the city where the sun never sets"

Let us introduce our little town with a big smile because Drøbak is also famous for its spectacular sunsets. Here you can relax beside the blue waters of the Oslo Fjord in an outdoor restaurant or in a boat in the harbor, and lift a glass towards the sun as it sets behind the forest clad hills in the west. Experience the white sails, the smell of the salt water and the gentle evening breeze. And maybe the chug of a fishing boat arriving with the day's catch of mackerel. Dream a little - as this is a typical Drøbak summer atmosphere.

But, winter can also offer a special atmosphere with the frost smoke over the icy fjord waters, this time framed by the snow covered landscape. Illuminated passenger ferries and cargo ships slide by, so close you feel you can reach out and touch them. Beyond, the lighthouses and the floodlit Oscarsborg Fortress give a special atmosphere in the crisp winter darkness. This is the home of Santa Claus and his spirit hangs over the water, the forests and the little town. Let us dream of days gone by, fun and adventure!

The history of Drøbak

Drøbak became large due to shipping around 1700-1800. Then the ships were loaded with large ice blocks and wood for export. On the way back they took food, handicrafts and industrial products with them. In 1814 Drøbak became a customs post and on 20 August 1820 Drøbak received its city rights, as the first of the densely populated cities in Akershus. Drøbak then had about 1000 inhabitants.

The name "Drøbak" comes from the location: From the fjord the style goes up to the interior, and probably Drøbak is an abbreviation of "steep slope" "dry baker". Year after year, the number of wooden houses that stood close to each other grew, and to this day we can rejoice in the original houses from the 18th century. The center has a protected cityscape and any renovations and / or renovations must comply with strict architectural rules to protect the special buildings. Fishermen, sailors, craftsmen and traders built with the financial opportunities they had then. The small wooden houses, which were then inhabited by the poor along the fishing beach, are very popular today. Drøbak is in many respects Norwegian history in a nutshell. The current prosperity must be seen in the face of past poverty and hard life. In 1962, the city municipality of Drøbak was merged with the neighboring agricultural municipality of Frogn. Today, Drøbak is the center of the municipality of Frogn with approx. 15000 inhabitants. In Drøbak you will find a large selection of restaurants, shops and public services and small businesses. Many are housed in the classic wooden houses we are so proud of.

The "Vereniging Oud Drøbak" is a proponent of preserving and maintaining the old houses. On the homepage of the "Vereniging Oud Drøbak" you can make a historicism walk through Drøbak that shows the city of "past and present" You can choose from different languages: Norwegian, English, German and Italian.

Drøbak's beach an art life

The capital grew enormously around 1800 and many wanted to leave the city for a beach and summer holiday. Fully loaded steamships docked in Drøbak with wealthy people from the former Christiania (it has become Oslo since 1925). Hotels, pensions and shops flourished during the summer months. The location of Drøbak, on the fjord with its beaches and the many leisure opportunities was seen as a source of opportunities. Drøbak became a beach town with a bathhouse in the "Varmebad" which is in the Badepark, (next to the church in the plant garden, by the fjord). Today, Drøbak is also very popular with its beaches and diving towers and rocks on which you can lie. Everything is free and easily accessible. Many Norwegian painters and writers have used Drøbak as inspiration and place to stay: the Nobel Prize winner Knut Hamsun and the poet Herman Wildenvey, the painters Kristian Krohg, the brothers Bergslien, Hans Fredrik Gude and Edvard Diriks (a cousin of Edvard Munch).

Vestingstad

The history of Drøbak is irrevocably connected to the Oscarsborg Fortress. Where the Oslofjord is at its narrowest, a fortress was built as early as 1643-45. At the end of 1800 it was further expanded and improved and when Norway became independent from Sweden in 1905, Oscarsborg was probably the best military stronghold. Most of the fortress was built by Swedish masons, a funny fact as far back as thought. In 1940, the most important event in the history of Oscarsborg took place. Germany invaded Norway on April 9 without a declaration of war. A poorly trained garrison sank the ship "Blucher" with cannon shots and torpedoes. The enemy thus got a cookie of his own dough, the cannons "Aron" and "Joshua" were of German manufacture. They were fired on the orders of Colonel Birger Eriksen, who was rewarded after the war for his decisive action.

The Germans had all the key people and much important equipment on board the ship. When the ship with its 900 men was sunk, this led to a delay in the invasion. The royal family, government, First and Second Chambers and the Norwegian Bank could be evacuated. This later led to strong opposition from England. The Blücher is still at the bottom of the fjord as a war grave, at "Askholmene" northeast of Oscarsborg. It has long been a ticking environmental bomb because of the oil. In 1994–95, the ship was pumped empty. The anchors of the ship have been preserved, one is in the "bathing park" next to the statue of Colonel Birger Eriksen.

Oscarsborg has no military significance today, but it still has a commander and a coat of arms. The fortress has a large defense museum and exciting tours, also especially for children. The island also has a hotel with Spa, dining and a guest harbor for boat lovers. Great for picnicking there too. The courtyard of the fortress is used in the summer for large cultural events, including professional opera performances. From Drøbak, a ferry regularly sails to Oscarsborg. (ask at the tourist office).

Drøbaks aquarium and marine biological center of the Oslofjord

The aquarium in Drøbak was established with the help of the members of the «Drøbak boat association». Here you will find many species of fish, crustaceans and marine animals that you can find near Drøbak. The aim is to copy a truthful environment of life in the fjord. The aquarium is the most visited attraction in all of Akershus. Many schools organize school trips here. Both children and adults can lift their spirits here. There is also a pool where children can touch some sea animals. Today, the aquarium collaborates with the marine biologists of the University of Oslo.

They have their research station here in Drøbak.